NRIs fly the flag in 49er class

Even as US-based Indian discus thrower Vikas Gowda is making a bid to qualify for the Olympics, two NRIs have already sailed into the Indian...

Even as US-based Indian discus thrower Vikas Gowda is making a bid to qualify for the Olympics, two NRIs have already sailed into the Indian contingent for Athens. Malav Shroff and Sumeet Patel have qualified through the IOC8217;s tripartite selection to compete in the 49er category.

Both Malav and Sumeet are originally from Mumbai, and now hold high-profile corporate positions in the US. In fact, the two sailors will literally lead the Indian contingent to the Greek capital, reaching there in the last week of July.

The pair had competed at the Athens Regatta last year and feel they know the conditions well. 8216;8216;Still, we need to reach Athens as soon as possible to get a feel of the water and train with other competitors8217;8217;, said Malav from New York, where he works as a management consultant with McKinsey.

His crew, Sumeet, was also excited at the prospect of participating in Athens. 8216;8216;I am happy that the International Sailing Federation has selected us for the event and now we have to do our best in the Athens water. We would like to thank the Yachting Association of India and the IOA for the tremendous support shown to us even though we are not based in India8217;8217;, said the finance pro with Siemens Medical Solutions.

Both sailors got their early training in the sport at the Sea Cadet Corps in Colaba, Mumbai. A three-time national Enterprise champion, Sumeet won the Enterprise Asian Regatta in China in 1989 and later added Enterprise World Championship silver medals to his kitty.

Helmsman Malav is also a top sailor. An MBBS from Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Malav went to Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship but continued to sail at top-level competitions.

An orthopaedic specialist, Malav won the Albacore World Championship title in the US in 1999. In India, Malav had won various junior national titles and also the Inland National Enterprise Championship in 1994. He has also been coaching the youth classes for the Royal Yachting Association, UK, since 1998. He coached the British national team, as well, that won the Cadet World Championships in 2000.

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According to Malav, compared to 470, Star and Lasers, 49er is technically the most difficult of all Olympic classes. 8216;8216;The 49er demands excellent physical fitness, dexterity and courage. 8216;8216;I am glad that the Yachting Association has supported us as the 49er is the future of sailing. It is less expensive and hence Indians can do well in it.8217;8217;

About their chance, Malav elaborated that there would be 19 teams in 49er at Athens and only seven participants have never been to the Olympic Games before. Five teams had actually sailed a 49er in Sydney. 8216;8216;This means that the event is extremely competitive and wide open8217;8217;, said Malav.

On development of the sport of sailing in India, Sumeet said 8216;8216;It8217;s ideally suited for Indians, unlike events such as the 100m sprint where we have a distinct genetic disadvantage.8217;8217;

8216;8216;Sailing has always won many medals for India at the Asian Games. By promoting it at the grass root level we can achieve even greater glory,8217;8217; Sumeet added.